Athletic Field Specialist III

General Description

This position performs maintenance and upkeep of athletic fields, facilities, and specialty parks. Accomplishes skilled and specialized work in the following areas: irrigation, turf maintenance and management, lining/painting of athletic fields, chemical spray application, pest identification, and equipment operation. Provides exceptional customer service to patrons of facilities. This position reports to the Athletic Field Supervisor.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs field maintenance duties including irrigation monitoring, repairs and renovation, irrigation pump and booster pump systems, irrigation controller scheduling and operation, chemical application and documentation for weed and pest control and fertilization, turf aerating, mowing, vertical cutting, weed abatement, top dressing and other duties as required.
• Performs proper maintenance techniques to ensure safe, playable surface including maintaining infield skin, infield lips, baselines, warning tracks, pitching mounds and home plate areas. Includes regular dragging, screen dragging, watering, mowing, edging, and trimming as required or as scheduled.
• Paints and marks fields, sets bases and pitching mounds under applicable rules and specified dimensions. Provides set-up and cleaning of facilities for practices, games, tournaments, and events. Performs general ground’s maintenance, repair and janitorial duties of fields, fencing, common areas, amenities, parking lots and other areas.
• Operates special equipment in the maintenance, repair and renovation of athletic facilities including but not limited to: Versa Vacs, top dressers, drum rollers, sod cutters, aerators, tractors, trenchers, commercial chemical spray equipment, etc.
• Conducts and completes reports for inspections of athletic facilities to ensure the safety of the public. Reports and removes potential safety hazards or maintenance issues to supervisor for follow up as necessary.
• Ensures safety of the assigned personnel and workplace in compliance with mandated federal and state governmental regulations.
• Assists with planning and implementing of the budget and annual renovation projects.
• Performs weekly/monthly irrigation system testing, maintenance, repairs, programming, and adjustments to irrigation systems.
• Performs basic administrative duties including memos, work orders, inspections, reports, daily logs, and electronic correspondence.
• Utilizes Integrated Pest Management Techniques in the cultivation of natural turf surfaces and landscapes in a southern growing environment. Applies chemicals and fertilizers in accordance with State of Florida regulations/laws. When dealing with continuous or predictable pests, takes appropriate preventative measures to control plant damage.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation and application of a variety of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and other pest and disease eradication and control chemicals as necessary.
• Manages the safe handling, storage, and application of fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides, ensuring proper calibration on chemical sprayers and granular spreaders.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, tools, and practices used in athletic field maintenance and construction. Including the proper use and application of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation systems and other aspects of turf care.
• Extensive knowledge of irrigation system maintenance and repair.
• Extensive knowledge for the proper use of chemicals for athletic fields.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and understand oral instructions.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards, safety precautions, and safety regulations related to recreational activities and other work-related precautions.
• Ability to read and understand labels and follow guidelines and application procedures.
• Ability to utilize an iPad and related software to effectively complete work orders and communicate via email.
• Set up recurring work orders for irrigation inspections and chemical applications etc.
• Ability to work with customers in a courteous, efficient, and tactful manner.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with employees at all levels, representatives from all departments, organizations, and the public.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate situations and exercises good judgment to make appropriate decisions.

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications

Education and Experience:

• Possession of a High School Diploma or its equivalent.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in athletic field maintenance, irrigation technician, chemical applicator technician, or closely related field.

(A comparable amount of relevant training, education and/or experience may be substituted for the above qualifications.)

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must possess a valid State of Florida Driver’s License by date of hire.

• Must obtain a Florida CDL license within six (6) months of employment.

• Must obtain a Florida Ornamental and Turf License issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture within six (6) months of employment.

• May be required to obtain a Florida Public or Commercial Applicator Spray License.

• An acceptable general background check to include a local, state, and sex offender criminal history check.

Emergency Response Responsibility

Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

Hiring Range Statement

Please note, the hiring pay range for this position is the minimum up to a rate equal to or less than the midpoint of the salary range.

Veterans Preference Statement

The City of Nort Port, FL is an Affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans’ Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.

All benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days.

Aetna – Health Insurance

The City offers eligible employees the choice of 2 Open Access In Network plans and 1 Open Access PPO Plan. Premiums and co-pays are dependent upon your plan choice.

Cigna Dental– Dental Insurance

The City's dental plan is a PPO plan providing eligible employees with in network or out of network options. You are entitled to two (2) preventive care treatments per calendar year (6 months apart). There is a $1,500 lifetime maximum for Orthodontia (children up to age 19). Premiums will depend on which tier you choose.

EyeMed Vision Care – Vision Insurance

The City's vision plan allows eligible employees to stay in network or go out of network. Your co-pays will vary depending on the network you use. You are entitled to an exam, frames and lenses once every 12 months.

Cigna Life - Life, Voluntary Life, Dependent Life Insurance

The City offers eligible employees a basic term life insurance benefit equal to their annual salary up to a $75,000 maximum at no charge. You can purchase additional voluntary life insurance for yourself and your dependents.

Cigna – Short Term Disability

The City provides short term disability coverage to all eligible employees at no cost to the employee. This coverage is used in the event of an accident or illness outside of work. The plan pays 66.67% of your weekly salary up to a maximum of $1,000. Benefits begin on the 31st day of your disability. The City offers a buy-up to the Short Term Disability Benefit with a 7 day wait period.

E-Flex – Flexible Spending Account

A flexible spending account helps you pay out-of-pocket medical, dental, eye care, daycare and other expenses, with tax deferred money deducted from your paycheck each payroll. The maximum annual election is $2,500.00. Over-the-counter medications must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription although other medical supplies will still be eligible for reimbursement. This is a voluntary benefit.

Trustmark– Supplemental Polices

Trustmark Insurance Company offers voluntary supplemental Critical Illness/Cancer, Accident and Universal Life policies which are paid for by the employee.

LifeLock Benefit Solutions

Protect your personal information and defend against attacks with 24/7, proactive identity theft protection from LifeLock. This is an employee paid voluntary program.

ICMA-RC - Deferred Compensation Plans

The City offers eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in a deferred retirement plan. The money that is deducted from your paycheck each payroll is put into this account and is tax deferred at the end of the year. One-on-one meetings with each company are held quarterly so employees can speak with the representative confidentially on preparing for their retirement. This is a voluntary program.

Florida Retirement System – FRS

Eligible employees are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System with an 8 year vesting period. Employees contribute 3% of their gross earnings per payroll which is subject to change with the IRS.

Cigna – Employee Assistance Program

The City offers this program to all employees. This is a confidential counseling program for employees and their families. The City pays for 3 visits and if you choose to continue, you would use the specialist co-pay on your insurance plan. Counseling can include stress, alcoholism, family problems, marriage difficulties, financial trouble, depression, work/life and more.

VPI - Veterinary Pet Insurance

The City offers Pet Insurance as a voluntary benefit. This benefit is not payroll deducted.

Florida Prepaid College Board

Employees are eligible to enroll in college savings programs as well as 529 plans.

Educational Assistance Program

Employees are eligible for job-related or degree required educational assistance reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year (subject to the availability of funds).

Paid Holidays

The City observes 13 paid holidays per year.

Sick Leave and Annual Leave

Full time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month starting on the first day of employment. Accruals and usage will appear on your pay stub each payroll. Full time employees accrue annual leave (vacation) bi-weekly, based on years of service.

Sick Leave Incentive

Employees receive an incentive of up to four (4) days per calendar year for every 250 hours remaining in their sick leave bank. Sick leave incentive days cannot be carried over to the next year.

Personal Leave

Employees are eligible for a maximum of two (2) personal leave days per calendar year when they have accrued 96 or sick more hours. This leave is approved by the department director through the department leave approval process.

Bereavement Leave

Employees are entitled to five (5) days of bereavement leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member. Employees should check the personnel policy or union contracts, whichever is applicable, for the definition of an "immediate family member".